Cancer Immunotherapy Research
Research on Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment
Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary tool to target malignant cells changing the paradigm for cancer treatment and providing potential curative outcomes for subsets of patients. Investigators from the Immunotherapy Institute of the BIDMC Cancer Center have played pivotal roles in advancing many of the central areas of this field in both the basic science and translational arenas.
The Immunotherapy Institute treats solid tumors and hematologic (blood and bone marrow) cancers. We integrate basic science, clinical research and patient care to mobilize the power of the immune system in the fight against cancer.
The mission of the Immunotherapy Institute of the Cancer Center at BIDMC is to:
- Develop powerful new immune-based cancer therapies through basic science, translational research and clinical trials
- Advance the development of personalized cell therapies and activation of the immune system by targeting the tumor microenvironment
- Develop immune-based therapies to significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients
- Move from the standard of care toward the standard of cure
As an international leader in cancer immunotherapy, the BIDMC Cancer Center in partnership with the BIDMC Cancer Research Institute is dramatically impacting scientific discovery and patient care through the transformative field of immunotherapy.
Schwartz Family Immunotherapy Facility
The Randi and Brian Schwartz Family Cancer Immunotherapy and Cell Manipulation Facility is a state-of-the-art laboratory that expands BIDMC’s clinical research capacity with the goal of accelerating the delivery of new immunotherapies to patients with cancer. The Center also serves as a manufacturing facility in which BIDMC's physician-scientists produce innovative immune-based treatments, including a promising experimental therapeutic vaccine against several forms of blood cancer.
In this core facility, personalized cell therapies are created and delivered, including cancer vaccines, CAR T-cells, NK cells and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In addition, the Immunotherapy Institute organizes seminars, lectures and retreats to review current work, share ideas and develop new collaborations.
To ensure the production of safe and effective therapeutic anti-cancer vaccines, the 3,400 square foot suite features three tissue culture rooms comprising 1,900 square feet of clean space designed to achieve “Good Manufacturing Practice” specifications.
About Our Work
BIDMC's Cancer Vaccine Program is one of the largest cancer vaccine and cellular immunotherapy programs throughout the world. Immunotherapy Institute Co-Director Dr. David Avigan, Deputy Director Jacalyn Rosenblatt and colleagues developed a personalized, patient-specific vaccine created from the patients’ own tumors hybridized with potent immune stimulatory cells, dendritic cells. A broad array of self and neo-antigens are presented in the context of dendritic cell mediated co-stimulation.
In phase I/II clinical trials of patients with blood cancers, vaccination results in the potent expansion of tumor specific T cells in the blood and bone marrow. Notably, vaccination-induced disease regression and protection from relapse in patients with multiple myeloma and acute leukemia, respectively.
Based on these encouraging data, the fusion vaccine was chosen to be the first cellular immunotherapy to be studied in a multicenter cooperative group study. The national transplant study for myeloma is a first-of-its-kind collaborative effort to examine the immunologic and clinical impact of cellular therapy. Led by BIDMC, the study involves leaders in the field of cancer immunotherapy from across the US. Furthermore, this multicenter trial offers a unique platform to fully understand myeloma-specific immunity and correlate these findings with clinical outcomes.
BIDMC has played a central role in developing immune checkpoint blockade agents as highly effective therapy for solid tumors and blood cancers. These studies have revolutionized the approach to cancer therapy.
Dr. David McDermott, Immunotherapy Institute Co-Director, with translational investigators Drs. Jim Mier and Rupul Bhatt, have been involved in the development and conduct of critical trials. The trials demonstrated that blockade of the PD1/PDL1 pathway results in immune activation and disease regression in patients with advanced malignancies including melanoma, renal and lung cancer.
In addition, the studies have demonstrated synergy with combination therapy using agents that block different checkpoint pathways. As a part of the National Cancer Institute-supported Renal Spore grant led by Dr. McDermott, the team is attempting to develop biomarkers that predict patient response to checkpoint blockade. They are also pursuing the integration of these approaches with other therapies.
A team of scientists led by Dr. Cox Terhorst at BIDMC have defined SLAMF7 and related proteins on Chronic Leukocytic Leukemia cells as novel targets for antibody and cellular immunotherapy. In collaboration with the RNA Institute, the Slack, and Avigan laboratories are examining the role of noncoding RNAs in modulating the immunosuppressive milieu of the tumor microenvironment. This role includes expression of negative costimulatory factors and myeloid suppressor cells.
Our investigators participated in the critical clinical trials that demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of CAR T-cells, another form of personalized cancer immunotherapy, in lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The results led to FDA approval of CAR T-cells for treatment of lymphoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia, with approval for myeloma anticipated in the near future.
BIDMC has established partnerships with several leading pharmaceutical companies to deliver CAR T-cells as clinically approved therapies. BIDMC is now leading an international effort to improve CAR T-cell outcomes by integrating vaccine and CAR T-cell therapy, and to extend this approach to solid tumors.
Meet Our Faculty
Advancing Care, Research & Education
Cancer Center
The Cancer Center is renowned for exceptional cancer care and for pioneering discoveries in cancer treatment.
Cancer Care
Oncologists at BIDMC provide leading-edge cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment services.
Cancer Education & Training
The Cancer Center offers comprehensive education and training opportunities for residents, fellows and researchers.
